The Blue Room

Madeleine Peyroux has one of those voices that is subtle, sweet and doesn't need to ask for your attention by adding trills or drastic pitch changes through her tracks. It's simple, tasteful and makes all of her music calming, soulful and beautiful. This hasn't changed throughout her career. What has changed is her musicality and what is behind her. Personally I'm a fan of the "stripped down" Peyroux which is why I'm slightly disappointed here that there's no "Sweet Man" or "Weary Blues" type tracks here. Nonetheless Madeleine does some fantastic, and subtle (a bit too much at times) takes on Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, and yes even Randy Newman here.

I'd say if you're the casual Peyroux fan you may want to take pause before immediately buying the whole thing here. While she delivers with her voice, there's just nothing I would consider "spectacular." But Peyroux has never been about flash, and this album is one that after the first few tracks I found myself quite entranced. Her voice is just so pure.

So while this isn't my preferred instrumentation, her voice comes across beautifully especially on a couple tracks:

"Guilty," Madeleine brings her own tonality to this Randy Newman tune and gives it a slight country twist. The song doesn't progress or plateau, but she's extraordinary here, with good range and vibrance.

"Bye Bye Love," Classic Everly Brothers song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant...this is a swanky, bluesy version of the song and she does it more than justice. My favorite instrumentation on the album and I really like that Peyroux comes up a little above her normal "low-key" nature here.

Let's be honest, any music from Peyroux is good music, but I can't help but feel a little bit bittersweet here, as I want the stripped down woman who I know can deliver such power when a larger sound isn't thrown behind her. I can only hope for the future...but for now more than this will do.

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If you're looking for more female vocalists in the same vein, I'd highly recommend (yes I am a bias amaricana listener):

Crooked Still Aoife O'Donovan has a beautiful voice that rivals any female vocalist right now, this low down old-time band is the best in the business.

Gillian Welch No intro needed, the queen of Americana.

Allison Krauss Bluegrass legend and maybe the purest voice of them all.

Anne & Pete Sibley Not as well known, but Anne Sibley has a classic voice, and she delivers every time.

I'm always excited to see a new album by Madeleine Peyroux, but I have to prepare myself for disappointment. I thought Bare Bones, with her original compositions, was pretty great, but I felt like most people did not like it. For me, this new album contains some bizarre song choices that highlight the uniqueness of Madeleine's voice and delivery, but not in a good way.

I suppose she is trying to update her image by tackling songs from the 60s-70s. However, the songs particularly Bird on the Wire and Gentle on My Mind do not fit Peyroux's very mannered and polished style. She tends to take liberties with the melody. Because every note is so precise, I have no doubt that her choices are deliberate and even rehearsed, but for me they just don't work, particularly on these two songs. The effect is like sitting in a cabaret listening to a singer who looks great but is a bit off-key. I actually winced a few times listening to these two songs.

For me the most successful track on this album is You Don't Know Me. It's more adaptable to a variety of genres and styles. I am reminded of Meryl Streep in Postcards from the Edge, being urged to sing, and she sits down at the piano and pulls out this song. It's a good song for Madeleine because there is not an iconic version out there, it's a song that's been covered a lot and hers could end up being your favorite version.

I really do applaud Madeleine Peyroux. There's no one else like her. She sounds so much like Billie Holiday sometimes, but her image feels so carefully cultivated and totally her own. I'm wavering between 2 and 3 stars on this record. I'm going with 2. I feel like the song choices set her up for failure. This may be one of those records that I like better with repeated listening. I will try it again in the future when I get in a Madeleine Peyroux mood. There are definitely those moods just disappointed with this particular record.

Buy The Blue Room Now

The first thing that's striking about Madeleine's voice (at least to me) is that she sounds more like Billie Holiday than Billie Holiday did...without ever imitating her. Because let's face it: it's not possible to mimic that utterly unique tone. Whatever fate laid it's wonderful hands on Peyroux's voice to give it that quality, it's just one of nature's peculiar miracles.

I love almost all of her CD's, but could not get a grasp on "Bare Bones" or "Standing on the Rooftop." But until "The Blue Room" there has not been a 100% faultless gem of musical choices. This is it. Absolutely great from the first notes to the last, a gorgeously original fusion of post-modern jazz/blues with a tinge of country. Whoever thought the song "Gentle On My Mind" could bring tears to your eyes? I cannot stop listening to it. Even the CD booklet is a work of art.

Visit the lovely, lonely "Blue Room." You'll never want to leave. Thank you, producer Larry Klein and Madeleine for this extraordinary recording.

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I love the voice of Madeleine Peyroux. My favorite track on this album is"You Don't Know Me". This is one of four songs by Ray Charles on this album. He recorded this song 51 years ago for a country album. Madeleine Peyroux makes this song her own with her unique musical arrangements. This song features beautiful trumpet playing. I have never this song with trumpet playing. It only plays for about thirty seconds, but it is sounds very special. Peyroux also covers the song "Bye Bye Love". I love her jazz rendition of this song. It sounds smooth and cool. I am surprised to learn that Ray Charles also recorded this song.

I also love the song "Bird On A Wire". I love the lyrics of the song. I think this song is about the need to forgive myself of the mistakes I have made in my life. This song really speaks to me. "Changing All Those Changes" is probably the only Buddy Holly song that I have never heard before. This song is about making a change in attitude and moving on after a relationship does not work out. This is a pleasant song. I will never get tired of listening to this song. It puts me in a good mood. Madeleine Peyroux transforms the country classic love song "I Can't Stop Loving You" into a bluesy love song. I love her rendition of this song. She makes me forget the original and makes me love her version more. Larry Goldings plays the organ on this track. I think his playing gives this track a romantic uplifting tone. "Desperadoes Under the Eaves" and "Guilty" are two songs about people struggling with addictions to alcohol and drugs. In "Desperadoes Under the Eaves", the person still seem to struggle with booze. In the song "Guilty", the person is trying to overcome addiction and return to a loved one. Both of these songs are very moving lyrically. "The Blue Room" is Madelene Peyroux's best album since "Careless Love". Peyroux proves with this album that a great song is timeless. She also proves that a great song can also rise above one genre of music.

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This is one of my all time favorites, She has a great voice and her songs are sweet.

One of the artist I seem to love every song on her CD's. I now will buy as soon as I see a new one. I have never been disappointed...this is the same experience..I wish she could put out a new one every 6 months,,,hahahah

She is that good a real talent in my humble opinion...

I hope any one reading this enjoys her as much as I do....:)